The Race To Nowhere: A Recap and Message from Ian Weiner, Director of Student Services

Last night NYHS parents and faculty joined many members of our community in viewing the highly acclaimed documentary The Race to Nowhere at the SJCC. The event was sold out. The message of the film is clear: The cycle of stress that is created by the ever competitive culture is taking its toll on the health and well being of America's children and now is the time for us as a society to act.  Stress is taxing the development of healthy psychological and emotional functioning in our children. The pressure to succeed is often being fueled by a society with a compulsively grade driven mindset. The result is often anxiety, depression, self defeating beliefs, worthlessness and inadequacy.  

The film reminds us that it is our role as parents and educators to tap into the strengths of our children's abilities and promote  a message that values success in human terms. We must value the child for who they are not for who they should or ought to be. It makes sense that real happiness will come from a child's realization of his/her true purpose and potential and it should not be founded upon a set of externally imposed standards or grades. Human nature allows for remarkable growth when the potential is activated. Happiness is derived from the realization of that potential not from achieving externally imposed standards.

At NYHS, we are continually working with our students, parents and teachers striving to meet the needs of our students.  This week, we conducted our annual student surveys for the purpose of evaluating our students'  full experience at NYHS including academic, social, and emotional components of life on campus. The survey is one means we implement to test the pulse of our school and to listen to our students in order to make changes that enable them to be more successful life long joyful learners.  

Parents are our partners in this endeavor.  Lets enter the Shabbat with a renewed committment to slow down and be with our children,  talk to them about their passions, beliefs, ideas and really listen.  Let's always take the time to let them know we value them as full human beings, beyond their grades, accomplishments or academic achievements.

Shabbat Shalom,

Ian Weiner

Senior Night by Grace Almo 2013

            The Mens varsity team's last basketball game was on Tuesday, February 8^th. Students and faculty showed up to support our boys, and especially our seniors, Raphael Kintzer and Joey Becker. This game was against Shorewood Christian, a team that we previously lost to earlier on in the season after an exciting game that went into overtime. 

            Raphi and Joey both had a great amount of pressure upon them to perform well on this last game of their high school basketball careers, and they both did.

            Within the first quarter, our boys were up, but the game was still close! Almost the entire Yeshiva body was cheering our team on. The game fluctuated between us being up by a few points, and then the opposing team up, or a tie. At the end of the half, we were ahead by a just one point.

            One of the most meaningful moments of the game was the halftime honoree presentation to our seniors, Raphi and Joey. Each team member of the men's team contributed some money to purchase each of them a present. The Women's basketball team also made cards for them. Raphi and Joey's parents and coaches were invited to the center of the court.  Coach Keith spoke about the strengths and gifts of both seniors.  Everyone was proud of our two seniors that have performed with grace, excellence and dedication for the past four years.

            The second half began and our boys really had to push through. As we were loosing our lead, Joey dribbled through and made some great lay ups. Mathias Cohanim 2014 blocked some shots, and Jacob Hanan 2012 was great at the post.              

            At the last minute mark Shorewood was ahead by one point but we wanted the win more. Our boys scored eight points and secured the win! The crowd went wild! Joey Becker ended up having 21 points, and Raphi Kintzer had 14 points. You can relive the excitement here. 

            Great effort this season, with a phenomenal ending!  Joey and Raphi, we will all miss you!

More photos here  

And more...Congratulations Northwest Yeshiva Basketball Teams by Milana Davydov 2012 

This week was the final week of the regular season for NYHS basketball. The boy's junior varsity put on a splendid show on Monday night against the Bear Creek Grizzlies and finished out their season on a high note, winning their last home game! Freshman Shuey Strassman (2014) led the team on the offensive end, while Sophomore Raymond Levy (2013) once again led the team on the defensive end with numerous rebounds. Congratulations to the junior varsity team for ending on such a high note!

Tuesday night, both the men's and women's NYHS varsity teams played their last regular season game of the entire season. Tuesday night was also the NYHS senior night, honoring seniors Raphi Kintzer and Joey Becker. Thank you so much to these two wonderful gentlemen who led their team with dedication and spirit. The boy's team ended up winning their final regular season game in a great battle against Shorewood Christian with a final score of 58-50. Seniors Raphi Kintzer and Joey Becker led their team to an exciting, and well deserved victory against the Shorewood Christian Lions. Congratulations! We will miss the seniors very much.   

The NYHS women's will be playing in their first District game against Quilcene tomorrow night at 8:15 at Mount Rainier Lutheran High School:  

Come out to support the team! 

A big congratulatory message to all of the lovely ladies who played with ultimate devotion, commitment, and teamwork! All of their hard work paid off for a league record of 12-0, going undefeated, and an overall record of 15-5!

Have a restful weekend and a wonderful Shabbat.

Save Sunday, February 27th and celebrate with us!!

NYHS Dinner & Auction

Sunday, February 27, 2011

4:30 pm Doors open

Grand Hyatt Seattle (NEW VENUE)

To donate auction items/services, please click here

 or contact co-chairs, Bayla Friedman Treiger or Julie Varon
 

Moshe Genauer and Ruben Owen to be honored at the NYHS Dinner and Auction, February 27, 2011!

Meet Moshe and Ruben and learn why they support NYHS!

 

Click here to read more about Moshe Genauer!
 

 

Click here to read more about Ruben Owen!

Photos courtesy of Debra Rettman
 

NYHS Basketball in the News

NYHS Girls Still Undefeated in the MI Patch 2/4

WIAA/Seattle Times Athletes of the Week- Ilana Greenberg 2012  

Northwest Yeshiva Girls Eyeing Returning to State by Mike Baldwin of the MI Patch 

WIAA/Seattle Times Athletes of the Week - Elana Hasson 2014! 

My Name is Asher Lev

Rebecca Osman Polyakovsky--our NYHS Drama Teacher--is assistant directing the Northwest Premier of My Name is Asher Lev, by Aaron Posner (Adapted from the novel by Chaim Potok)

The show opens February 19th and plays one weekend at Theatre on the Square in downtown Tacoma.  The production will then move to Lakewood Playhouse for another 4 weekends.  Below are the websites with specific dates/times and ticket purchase information for both theaters!

http://www.broadwaycenter.org/season/showDetails.asp?key=242

http://www.lakewoodplayhouse.org/season.html

Yearbook Ads   

Dear NYHS Family and Friends,

Thank you all for your great respond and support!

As a result of great interest for our yearbook ads, we got more pages, so

we still have room but it is limited!

Our deadline is rapidly approaching!

If you have any questions, please contact us at

yearbookstaff@nyhs.net

or for more information visit  

http://yearbook-period-c.nyhs.net

Click here for the first edition of the NYHS Alumni magazine!  This is a compilation of updates that had previously been in the E-Bulletin.  We will continue to add to it with new alumni updates!

Micol and Rabbi Aaron Bayer and Koby, Adin and Gabriella

Micol (Rubin)Bayer 1994 -After graduating from NYHS in 1994, Micol spent a year Israel before enrolling and graduating from Stern College in 1998. Micol did the BA/MA program at Stern where she received a BA in Jewish Studies and continued on to earn a Masters in Jewish History.  She also minored in Art. 

Today Micol is married to Rabbi Aaron Bayer and they 3 children, Gabriella(2), Adin (4 and a half), Koby (7).  They live in Cleveland, Ohio where Micol owns her own design business.  She specializes in custom made paper cuts and ketubot and all things Judaica.  Check out her website at Micol Designs.  Micol also teaches Art at the Fuchs Mizrahi School.

Micol says that her experience at the Yeshiva inspired her to incorporate Jewish text and learning into her art work.  Micol nurtures her connection with NYHS, even from a distance by creating the beautiful honoree gifts for the dinner and auction.

Thank you Micol for speaking with us this week!


 

Jake Baker 2009 is a sophomore at the University of North Dakota and is studying Aviation Management and UAS (Unmanned Aerial systems) Operations.  Jake explains that Aviation Management is the business side of the aviation world and his degree requires one to get up to and including a commercial pilot's license. Jake is just one flight away from getting a private pilot's license which will allow Jake to fly alone, with passengers, internationally, as well as have many other privileges with an airplane. Jake however will be going a step further and will acquire his CFI license which will give him flight instructor status. After Jake gets his regular fixed wing (airplane) licenses, he will begin flying UAV's (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) which he is extremely excited to do!

Jake's university is the only civilian institution in the United States that offers a degree in UAS.  In fact, Jake will be one of the first students without a military background to earn a degree in this pioneering field.  Jake describes a not too distant future where cargo is flown by unmanned aircraft.  According to Jake, Fed Ex is already exploring this option and the US government is allocating some 20 billion dollars for commercial UAS development.  In some states, police already use such aircraft.

We asked Jake about life on campus beyond academics.  Jake told us that he is "definitely more active" in the tight knit Jewish community this year. He participates in planning shabbat dinners and helps organize Jewish events.  There is only a small Jewish community at the University and they get support from the local synagogue in the area.  Jake says that he has had many experiences with people who had never met a Jew before.  Jake goes on to say, "I love having the opportunity to share my religion with people, many of whom have never met another Jew before me.  Despite this, I haven't experienced any anti-semitism or anti-Israel sentiment on campus.  If anything, people are curious and very supportive.  The only negative feedback I can give about the University of North Dakota is that it gets ridiculously cold in the winters. If you plan on visiting North Dakota... bring a Parka!"

Jake continues to tell us that he feels that NYHS fully prepared him for the college atmosphere, academically and socially.

"I feel ahead of my peers in discussion classes and just generally in the area of forming a solid argument. At the Yeshiva, I learned how to form an effective and logical argument to back up my position.  Also, the Jewish values, cultural understanding and moral standards that Yeshiva has taught me have only been a positive influence and have helped shaped the person I am today. I am proud and honored to have been a student of Northwest Yeshiva High School."

Thank you to Jake for taking the time to share his experiences with us.

Three Cantors Plus One at the SJCC, 2/13 at 2 pm, more info. at www.sjcc.org
 

Women Only Work Out (private room) at the SJCC Sundays starting January 9th - For more info, visit www.sjcc.org

BCMH Dinner honoring NYHS student, Zak Shayne and alumae, Francine Birk and her husband, Daniel.  Also honoring Eva and Eli Genauer - 3/6 at 5 pm - Visit www.bcmhseattle.org for more info.
 

 Check out www.seattlencsy.com for up to the minute NCSY news. 

Check out www.jewishinseattle.org for up to date info. on all things Jewish happening!